New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-02
IN NATURAL COLORS
THE PROBLEM NOT YET SOLVED.

MR.. GEORGE O. LOCKWOOD DESCRIBES HIS UN-
SATISFACTORY EXPERIENCE IN LONDON.
To the Edftor Of TIE Tribune.
SIR: 1t has been announced Of late that persons In
London had dscoy cred the art Of reproducing and
tanning by photography the colors Of nature. Surely
nothing in artistic way could have been inter-
esting valuable Important the invention Of
the daguerrotypc and the subsequent development Of
the artscience photography there has always been
desire the exquisite ins which in nature
and have In miniature uuon the ground glass Of the
camera, reproduced In some tangible and permanent
form Neipsic de St Victor French scientists
have obtained upon the dsguerrotype plate some Of the
coor Of foliage, red brick house. etc. but the range OF
limited and the pictures could only be In
feeble, non-acenc light-so0n fading from view This
accomplished some twenty years ago. since which
time material advance has been made in this direc-
ton far the Of photography now practised
is concerned, have expectation that the develop
ment Of color win be attained direct from nature
Light we'll known. has three distinct qualities
Illumination. heat and actinism The latter Is the chem
ical and Is that which affects the sensitive plate
beautiful though somewhat intangible theory Obtains
that uasmuch it Ia this actinic chemical quality
in light which imparts all color to nature and without
which all vegetation bleaches and becomes white and
dies, have right to hope that 1t will also so Affect
the Photographic plate to give the beautiful tints
of the rainbow! But unfortunately color has value to
the Photographic plate only 1t reflects the rays OF
is colOr reflect feebly the chemical properties OF
Ii light fail to decompose reduce the film IL
sensitive plate Photography is based upon the prncI-
pie I'll at certain salts of silver decomposed by the
action of light Just in proportion the film receives
the light reflected from the object Is the deposit OF
silver compound upon the plate. Simply putting It,
white collar perfectly reflects the ght the black coat
reflects but little, and hence slight action to the plate
and thin deposit Blue. violet and their combinations
with white strongly reflect the actinc ray red yellow
their modification do but feebly So color has
but little effect the present basis OF photography in
the way Of repeating itself In view OF the wonderful
things that have been given 10 the world in the line OF
invention during the last half century, would be a rash
say that the reproduction OF colors is impossible
1 think, however that when 1t comes TO us. 1t will be
through the discovery Of entirely new basis or
principle in photography-sOme colorsensitve com
pound entirely away from the present fundamental
basis the salts OF silver.
Now concerning the alleged discovery by an eminent
photographer III London: 1 prompt 10 visit hun
upon my arrival in London the past summer. and was,
confess, surprised at tho results exhibited the out
come OF twelve years OF study, experiment and chem
ical research" The awful nomenclature adopted by The
artist both in his verbal and Wrten comments would
impress with the belief that something novel; 10 Say
the least would be forthcoming introd icing myself
nation of my occupation rs photographer was led
were to be seen Here We're few Indifferent hand
colored photographs. such AS are done te coioring
Ing they had evidently been term H. glazed or
given fine finish by being laid down upon glass with
hot gelatue and then when cold stripped OF .he precise
thing which the fraternity in America discarded long
time ago. to the instability OF the analine colors
this inventor desgnates them, the hydro
carbons Noticing duplicate pictures OF the sub
ject unocenty remarked that II must be ardu0us 10
subject be Obliged to sit for each picture must
do. suppose to get the natural colors" Here followed
cyclone OF big words-a few OF which early expert
ence as a reporter and his circulars enabled me TO
cure Placing his hand imprcssvely upon me he said:
The color affect the negative plate in latent
seective otherwise Is provided. Therefore,
the positive plate (Which Is paperD being prepared,
the negative H.m allowed Ia become active ON the
positive fm when the exposure again TO light under
the ncgstlve) takes place! AT This Point the
through the whole process like beautiful thread OF ex
aciitude takes up OF vibration aud the quail
ties OF the vibrations OF the negative complimentary
manner and gives to the positive plate all the character
sties Of molecular condition tincludng latent color
vbratieps 10 would have had without the nterven-
ton negative II is the true idea OF the conserya
ton Of energy 1t the already vibrating molecules
to take ny and swing In some complicated manner with
those particularly absorbed rays!" aud so on 10 the
verge OF lunacy
III we could reduce the above to simple text, friend
claims that he stores up color vibrations one would
electricity and the negative thus loaded fires on color
Q rich complexion and dressed In crimson velvet
waist and suitable accompanying c0lors Whether tue
negative forgot TO do its work or the color had leaked
ont do not know. but the proof was precisely Msat
would expect from the subjest II photographed In the
ordinary manner, although assured that the greatest
opportunity had been given for the various nteraetons
selves according original vibrations tcoler and
otherwise to which the beautiful sitter was subjected
during the sitjng!" retired 10 think It over
fear that photography In natural coors Is not yet
GEORGE G. RocKwooD.
Yeo York, Sept 20, 1887